The Fuel Efficient Demonstrator concept vehicle on display at the Army Strong Zone outside the Alamodome in San Antonio. (Contributed photo/ Conrad Johnson/RDECOM)

A heavily armored and fuel efficient demonstrator vehicle
recently put on display may be a forerunner of future Army ground
transportation.

The FED, or fuel efficient demonstrator, is one of two
vehicles produced by the Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and
Engineering Center, known as TARDEC. FED
Alpha went on display at the Army's All-American Bowl. The other FED is known
as Bravo.

"The FED does the same mission as an up-armored
Humvee," said Rachel Agusti, lead project engineer. "It's a little
more current because it has v-body hulls, underbody shaping for blasts as well
as export power and it does that mission 70 percent more fuel efficient."

The FED features low-rolling resistance tires to minimize
energy wasted as heart between the tires and the road. It also features a
turbocharged 200-horsepower, 4.5-liter, inline 4-cylinder diesel engine;
lightweight aluminum monocoque armored cab with underbody blast shield; and
performance friction low-drag aluminum brake calipers.

A finishing process often used in racing vehicles to reduce
friction and vibration while improving shifting was used on the gears. Its
special accelerator force feedback pedal cues the driver to accelerate the
vehicle for optimal efficiency. Its carbon fiber body panels reduce weight and
increase strength.

"Those technologies can be used on current platforms
and future platforms to help increase their fuel efficiency," Agusti said.
"So this (demonstrator vehicle) isn't something that will go into
production, it's something that is furthering technology."